Knee AVN with Lupus
A patient with Lupus was treated with numerous systemic Rheumatologic medications, including corticosteroids. She was referred to Dr. Dennis Lox M.D. an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine, with special expertise in the treatment of AVN or Avascular necrosis. Both knees were affected. There was no joint collapse, and she wanted to avoid total knee replacement surgery, as she was 34, and a young mother.
Dr. Lox agreed on Regenerative Medicine, a d Stem Cell Therapy was a good alternative to knee replacement surgery.
Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis abbreviated as AVN, is also commonly referred to as osteonecrosis. It may also be called aseptic necrosis, bone infarction, or ischemic necrosis. They all refer to the same disorder.
AVN or Osteonecrosis occurs when the blood supply to a region of bone becomes impaired or compromised. This leads to bone cell death or necrosis.
The hip is the most commonly affected joint, followed by the shoulder, then the knee, however AVN can occur almost anywhere. AVN may be seen in multiple joints. Both hips are common, but it may occur in a hip and a knee, or other presentations, such as a hip, knee, and ankle. An expert in the evaluation and treatment of AVN must be alert to the possibility of unusual presentations of AVN in patients with multiple joint complaints. These are typically associated with high-risk factor causative factors such as excessive corticosteroid use.
Why Do Some People Get AVN?
Trauma is the leading cause of AVN. The hip is most frequently seen.
Following trauma, Idiopathic or unknown cause is the next leading cause.
Idiopathic is troubling, as most people want a reason, and before assigning the diagnosis of idiopathic or unknown cause, all other potential causes must be excluded.
Other Associated Factors of AVN
Excessive Corticosteroids
Rheumatologic diseases Such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sickle Cell Trait
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Vasculitis
Lipid Storage Diseases
AIDS
Decompression sickness
Excessive Alcohol
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy
Dr. Lox is often asked to consult or treat patients with AVN or Osteonecrosis. These patients are often looking for alternatives to surgery. Knee replacement surgery, hip replacement surgery, shoulder replacement surgery, or ankle fusion. This is especially true in young patients and athletes. Joint replacement surgery can often end a sports career, and in young patients, the concern is the joint replacement surgery will wear out due to their young age.
All these factors make Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy more appealing as it is non-surgical, and preserves options down the road. Surgery can not be reversed.
Patients are often motivated by utilizing their own bodies to repair cells to try and heal themselves. This is the cornerstone of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy.
